Normal People — Episode 8 – Episode 108 — (Photo by Enda Bowe/Hulu)
The Me Too movement has also led to the rise of Intimacy Coordinators on set, and it begs the question — how did actors go so long without them? An actor/friend once told me that sex scenes are often so uncomfortable because they are so poorly choreographed, and because many directors are also uncomfortable with the scenes, the actors are left to their own devices, which can lead to problems.
After binging Normal People on Hulu, I was extremely curious about the sex scenes, especially since they were so raw and believable. In the interview below, series star Paul Mescal details the importance of the Intimacy Coordinator. And kudos to the interviewer for asking well thought out questions.
I’m only four episodes into Hulu’s Normal People, and I can already say it’s one of the rawest, most realistic portrayals of young, complicated love that I’ve seen in nearly a decade. Based on Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel, the series follows Irish lovers Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal) and Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) as they navigate their on/off romance, which is complicated by different upbringings, the opinions of others, personal insecurities, and all the mistakes we make before we know better.
The Guardian reviewed this gem of a series with a heavy, unforgiving hand, calling it “little more than a gutless soap opera for millennials.” And the takedown didn’t stop there. They also said it is “a tedious reworking of a romance plot as old as time. I’d rather read an honest bodice-ripper.” I don’t think I’ve ever been more pleased to read a review. Why? Because it’s so incredibly wrong it just proves that jaded hearts and elite television palettes simply won’t understand it’s beauty — and that’s okay. Yes there’s a class struggle “as old as time.” But the story is more about young love and when acted out by two people with Sheridan and Mescal’s prowess and earnest chemistry, it will inevitably feel fresh.
For somebody “connected to her truth” Julianne Hough sure spends a lot of time not talking about it. For those unaware, Hough and her husband, Brooks Laich, spent an unwelcome amount of time inviting the public into their sex life only to now shut the doors on the many inquiries about the status of their marriage. Hough and Laich are noticeably isolating in separate states during the pandemic.
On the June cover of Women’s Health Magazine Hough continued to say a whole lot of nothing including, “I believe in soul love, whatever that looks like. I kind of don’t believe in labels. It doesn’t mean that I won’t have a baby, etc. It just means that I’ve unplugged from what I feel like I should be doing versus what I actually want to be doing.” She furthered, “I believe we’re all dancers. We were much more self-expressed when we were kids. I’m trying to help people reconnect back to that inner child.”
Perhaps I wouldn’t object to the new Julianne Hough if she was honest about her personal life when it suits her AND when it doesn’t. Furthermore, if you’re going to boldly “live your truth,” maybe also defend the truth of others, including Gabrielle Union who had very public issues with America’s Got Talent. Hough notoriously avoided the topic (despite being fired at the same time as Union) during a press tour for Hough’s upcoming show. It’s not considered “bold” if you’re only speaking out when it suits you best.
Hi, friends! It’s week three of my new podcast, and I’d like to thank everyone for their support. This week we cover a lot of romantic entanglements, including Jay Culter and Kristin Cavallari’s messy divorce, Nikki Bella wanting Artem Chigvintsev to get a job, and Demi Moore and Bruce Willis quarantining together. Plus, I’m coming for the producers of MTV’s The Challenge, and I hope they’re listening.
WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE WITH ANDY COHEN @ HOME — Episode 17069 — Pictured in this screen grab: (l-r) Andy Cohen, Meghan McCain, Erika Jayne — (Photo by: Bravo)
You don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of Meghan McCain, especially when McCain is on the right side of the issue. When Elisabeth Hasselbeck returned to The View panel for Hot Topics, where the ladies discussed the Covid 19 pandemic. True to form, Hasselbeck was “straight party,” offering unconditional support to the President while touting the power of prayer and Purell. While on Watch What Happens Live, McCain spoke to Hasselbeck’s reckless line of defense, calling it “dangerous.” Watch below.
Hasselbeck took no responsibility for her original statement, as evidenced by her ridiculous Instagram post below.
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Golly. Getting kids to bed and apparently @meghanmccain is tossing out some anger my way . Meghan- i am going to call you and handle this in the best socially distanced direct manner possible – but hey girl – We are all just doing our best, and I don’t know why you are taking an opportunity to be so aggressive toward me during such a stressful time. #1- I have always liked you and been a vocal defender of your family. I sure did not see this one coming. #2- we are all just trying to do our best, we should not be judging one another we should be in this together #3- get your quotes right. I never said I had the power to pray covid away. The day at the view I came to visit y’all because our hometown had been slammed with a tornado and lives were lost and a school needed help and I was trying to get word out. Nyc was not even in social distancing yet. It was March 11th- it was before anyone was even quarantining – It was the last day the show was in studio, and your major was still encouraging visitors to Chinatown and still working out in gyms! #4 my quote was that I am going to pray and purell. #5 PRAYER will ALWAYS be my FIRST RESPONSE AND MY BEST DEFENSE 🙏🏻💕 We have had a family member hospitalized and I have asthma. This is all hard and stressful enough- turn off the meanness as The world needs more togetherness and kindness. I’m praying today that you can lay off throwing the social darts at me. I am not sure why you decided to do this. I’m a momma on my knees in prayer like many others – let’s get back in the same side and be #inthistogether 🙏🏻💕
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When I say Jax Taylor is the voice of reason on Vanderpump Rules, friends and fellow fans tell me I’ve “lost my mind.” But if you watch the clip below, you just might agree.
The show introduced a new cast of characters, and longtime fans rightfully say that it is changed the dynamic for the worse. Though I was originally on board the fresh blood, it has become clear that their storylines are over-produced, and the drama is artificial. Since the original cast was already friends, the show has always been organic and authentic. Now, it’s manufactured attempt to keep things alive given that the main cast is getting married and growing up. While I appreciate the effort, I’d rather the series and then morph into something forced.
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS — Season:10 — Pictured: (l-r) Garcelle Beauvais, Denise Richards, Lisa Rinna, Kyle Richards, Erika Girardi, Dorit Kemsley, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave — (Photo by: John Tsiavis/Bravo)
I’ve always viewed the Real Housewives as an aspirational window into the excess of others, but as we now know — most of the marriages have ended, the wealth is questionable, and the friendships are forced. I wouldn’t mind a show — warts and all — but that’s not what we are getting from this franchise, especially with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
The season one premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills felt like a tired attempt to generate drama, especially since the most interesting part of the season is likely the alleged affair between Denise Richards and Brandi Glanville. I say this because instead of a linear approach, Bravo choose to offer viewers a glimpse into what’s to come, which entails the ladies lecturing Denise Richards on being “dishonest” about her personal life. Because most of the ladies are involved lawsuits they have failed to discuss, I find the demand for “honesty” to be laughable.
Mauricio (Kyle’s husband) for example, is accused of selling a home to a man for $32.5 million, but the seller alleges that Mauricio received more lucrative side offers that he failed to disclose to the seller. According to the seller, Mauricio failed to disclose that he partnered with the buyer to purchase the property. Mauricio then allegedly sold the home for $69.9 million just one year later, generating a profit of $37 million.
Kyle has said time and time again that her husband did not sign up for the show and there is therefore no reason to discuss him being sued. But true fans are well aware that Mauricio has featured his business on the show and gained significant free publicity as a result. So he did sign up for the show — just only the good stuff.
As for Dorit Kemsley, her and her husband’s legal woes involve Dorit’s personal bathing suit brand (“Beverly Beach”), which also gained free advertising on the Bravo television platform. According to The Blast, Dorit’s former business partner fronted money to her and her husband and was never paid back. On the season premiere, she casually addressed the allegations, claiming it was settled out of court. She has long claimed that she was unable to talk about the lawsuit while on camera. But as a viewer and a lawyer, I can safely say that the fans never asked for a play-by-play of the lawsuit, they simply wanted on-camera honesty that the lawsuit did in fact exist. Unlike Shannon Beador of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Dorit continued to pretend that her luxurious life was infallible. She finally mentioned it on the premiere, but it’s too little too late.
Erika Jayne’s husband was also sued, but I will leave that one alone because I actually believe— unlike Kyle and Dorit — he did not sign up for the show. He is never featured, and I therefore do not believe a woman should have to answer for her husband’s job/decisions/way of life.
We are in a trying time right now with the Covid-19 pandemic, and I am fully aware that this was taped prior to our current state. But RHOBH was going downhill even before we were hauled up in our houses. With the loss of Lisa Vanderpump, the rising intolerance for women-v-women verbal sparring, and our shrinking middle class, excess is off-putting — especially when it’s fake.
Once upon a time, I spent many days inside a recording studio as a fly on the wall listening to the songwriting, recording, and production process. Those days are over — but NBC’s Songland has provided a surrogate experience, as unknown songwriters looking for a break pitch their tune to some of the most successful artists in the business.
With a little help from an A-list songwriting panel — Ester Dean, Shane McAnally, and Ryan Tedder — the show has managed to churn out number one hits for the artists that participate, and the season two premiere delivered the goods with Lady Antebellum.
Watch below to see Madeline Merlo’s “Champagne Night” clinch the win. Merlo was teamed with lyricist-wiz Shane McAnally who was so damn good Ryan Tedder tossed his notepad mid-song, as he realized there was no longer a competition.
Hi, friends! My podcast is still in its experimental stages, so please be kind when you listen below, as the audio situation deserves a little more attention. But for those of you looking for a little reprieve from the Covid-19 catastrophe, this podcast is for you. Enjoy your pop-culture rundown.
In an effort to add to the content movement, I’ve gone back to my roots and took a stab at a very brief podcast. If you like it, I’ll do more. Go easy – I’m no Bill Burr. Solo-hosting is a strange endeavor, but these are dire times.
